Group Commander Jeoff Somerville said: "We attended a fire at about 11pm last night. We had three fire appliances there.

"It was two semi-detached houses under construction. The roof of one of the houses was destroyed. There was a significant plume of smoke that could be seen for some distance.

"It is being treated as arson and has been passed to the police."

The fire did not affect neighbouring properties and there was no need to evacuate anyone, emergency services said.

The PSNI confirmed officers are treating the fire as suspicious.

Inspector McCullough said: "The fire was reported to police at around 11pm on Friday evening and is being treated as suspicious at this time.

"Both houses were badly damaged as a result of the fire and I would appeal to anyone with any information to contact officers at Woodbourne on 101. Information can also be given anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

House on fire in Devonshire Street, Belfast (Image: Samuel Severn)

It comes after three houses were gutted and one badly damaged in Dunmurry following a massive fire. Four families were left homeless and a community in distress after oil tanks in each of the gardens in Sunnyhill Park exploded into flames in the early hours of Monday, June 15.

One had just been refilled days earlier and it took almost 60 fire fighters to bring the blaze under control as it spread rapidly.